metamorphic

Polished red jasper cabochon

Jasper; microcrystalline quartz (SiO₂) with iron-oxide impurities

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Typically Mohs 6.5–7, opaque, red to brick-red with cream veining, and dull to vitreous polished luster. It is a dense, cryptocrystalline quartz aggregate with no visible cleavage and specific gravity around 2.5–2.7.

Identified September 18, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Jasper forms when silica-rich fluids cement or replace volcanic and sedimentary material, with iron oxides producing the red color; specimens range from Precambrian to younger geological ages. This example is cut and polished into a cabochon.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, carvings, decorative objects, and inexpensive jewelry; durable enough for occasional-wear settings but less valuable than fine transparent gemstones.

Geological facts

The pale lines may be quartz or chalcedony-filled fractures, and patterns vary widely between deposits. Red jasper is commonly sold under trade names such as “dragon blood” or “brecciated jasper,” though those names are not always mineralogically precise.

Field identification & locations

Identify it by its opaque brick-red color, fine-grained texture, and lack of glassy transparency; it should not fizz in dilute acid. Common sources include India, Brazil, Madagascar, Australia, and the western United States.